Atheism, Evolution, Skepticism

Is the far-right capable of reality-based thinking?

I have a really hard time taking the far-right seriously when they seem so disconnected from reality.

Here’s a gem from an article posted on Facebook by my far-right neighbor:

“That’s not all that surprising, since the president appears to believe that the federal government is the sole and rightful owner of what you think is your money. He says it isn’t your money. He is convinced that it’s his.” (Source)

Another gem found on the Planet Money message board:

“Of course a liberal/socialist likes to lie, like trying to legalize medical marijuana so they can eventually legalize pot, or legalize gay marriage so they can eventually legalize forcing your children to learn to be gay.” (Source)

A few weeks ago, I heard a nationally-syndicated right-wing talk radio host claim that Obama was going to declare himself dictator and rule the United States for the next forty years. (I wish I had some audio of that ignorant rant.)

If you aren’t capable of making an actual argument, I guess you can always make shit up.

On a positive note, our local tea-bagger candidate for governor (he won the Republican Primary in August) has done nothing but sink in the polls since the primary. He’s currently polling at 15-17% (down from the low thirties just seven weeks ago). This is largely due to a Republican coming in on the Constitution party, and every week he seems to suck more votes away from him. The Constitution party is now polling at around 31-35%.

Yeah, I don’t want to defend the Tea Party, but there were people who were convinced that there would be a “terrorist attack” just before the 2008 presidential election and Bush would declare martial law and suspend the vote. Never happened, obviously. There are people who believe nonsense everywhere, unfortunately.